Wayne "Corkey" Newton Medlin

Wayne Newton "Corkey" Medlin was born on September 2, 1948 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was a Vietnam Veteran who served as a Paratrooper and a Radio Communications Operator and Carrier of the Communications Radio. During his time of service in Vietnam he served in AR635-212SPN264 & 1st Ind Hq 4th Squadron 12th Cavalry; 5th Infantry Division. A highly decorated Veteran, Wayne received a National Defense Service Medal; Parachutist Badge; Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Star; Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 60; Combat Infantryman Badge; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal and First Class Unit Citation. He also served in the 75th Infantry Airborne Ranger in Colorado as a member of the Fifth United States Army.

Wayne spent many years battling PTSD after returning home from Vietnam and ending his term of service. In his later years he was able to overcome and worked at Walmart as a greeter, and worked in his final years assembling laundry bags for prison inmates.

Wayne loved to travel and would go almost anywhere that there was snow. He had lived in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico and finally settled in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He came to live with his Niece Barbara Medlin-Givens of Needles, California in 2019 where he was able to meet and reconnect with family that had been born while he was out galavanting the United States. In 2020 Wayne had given his heart to Jesus and had many discussions with family, friends, pastors and chaplains who came to visit him.

Wayne is preceded in death by his Grandparents and by his Parents Roy Lee Medlin Sr and Velta Lorene Hesson Medlin; his 3 only older brothers William Medlin Sr and Roy Lee (Joan) Medlin Jr and Roy's twin brother.

Wayne is survived by his son Jeremy Scott Medlin of WA, Jeremy's mother and "Corkey's forever friend" Joann Medlin of WA, his nieces Barbara Medlin-Givens of Needles,CA; Stephanie Medlin of Norwalk CA, Joy Medlin-Green (Kyle Green) of Mohave Valley,AZ; his Great Nieces and Nephews Barry (Trinity) Hendersen Jr of Needles,CA; Brandi Medlin-Hernandez (Randy Hernandez Jr) of Needles,CA; Alexandria Medlin-Givens of Needles,CA; Taylor C Roy Medlin III Givens of Needles,CA; and their children: his Great Great Nieces and Nephews Trentin & Breesen Hendersen, Blayze Medlin-Mallett, NatealiJoi Medlin-Mallett, Revelation Medlin-Mallett, MaryJane Medlin-Mallett, Pearl Medlin; Arora Pyle; Rosie-Lee Dishneau, Charlie Givens-Dishneau; Randy Charles Hernandez III & Freedom Hernandez. Wayne is also survived by his niece Crystal Medlin-Leslie and her children: Leslie, William 3rd Mallory & Morgan and Chaise Deshotel all of Lake Charles, LA as well as a number of 2nd to 5th generation cousins and the many people he met during his last few years who came to know him as a polite and sweet man. His family is proud of his accomplishments in life and in the security he felt knowing that he would be meeting with the Lord and his family when he left this earth. He will be missed and his family is grateful for the last years they spent with him, knowing now that he no longer suffers and "there are no pain, sickness and no tears in Heaven" (Revelation 21:4)